May 4 Marks the Season Opener for Many Popular Warmwater Sportfish

Catch and Release Bass Season Already Underway on Many Waters

The fishing season for walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskellunge opens Saturday, May 4 and with this, most of New York's sportfish seasons will be open, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. This includes catch and release fishing for black bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass) in many waters across the state and the special trophy black bass season on Lake Erie where anglers can take one 20-inch or longer fish per day.

The NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative is an effort to improve recreational activities for in-state and out-of-state sportsmen and sportswomen and to boost tourism opportunities throughout the state. This initiative includes improved access for fishing at various sites across the state, stocking as much as 900,000 pounds of fish, expanding fishing clinics and increasing hunting opportunities in various regions. Through these efforts, New York has become a premier destination for bass fishing tournaments at the Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, Lake Champlain and Oneida Lake. Bass anglers should check the New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide to ensure that the water they desire to fish is open to catch and release angling on DEC's website. Muskellunge fishing season and the regular (harvest) season for black bass open on the 3rd Saturday in June (June 15).

"Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative promotes the exceptional warmwater fishing opportunities New York provides in its abundant lakes and rivers renowned for trophy bass, plentiful walleye, and aggressive pike and pickerel," said Commissioner Martens. "I encourage all anglers to find the time to enjoy, and share with others, the great fishing that can be found here in New York."

While chain pickerel and tiger muskellunge are consistently active most of the year, walleye and northern pike fishing can be particularly good in the cool water conditions of early spring. Due to stocking and other DEC management efforts, walleye are found in more than 140 waters throughout the state and quality fisheries exist in every major watershed. Advice for catching walleye can be found on DEC's website.

Other popular springtime targets include yellow perch, sunfish and crappie. These species are common throughout the state and provide easy fishing for even novice anglers. Channel catfish, a popular sportfish in southern and midwestern states, are abundant in many of New York's larger lakes and rivers, provide a very tasty meal, and are generally underutilized by New York anglers. Tips and locations for catching big channel catfish and panfish are available on DEC's website. A complete listing of 2013 warmwater fishing hotspots recommended by DEC biologists also can be found on the DEC website.

Other current black bass projects include the assessment of bass populations statewide, bass condition and movements following tournaments on Lake Champlain and the seasonal distribution and habitat use of largemouth bass in the lower Hudson River.

Use Baitfish Wisely

Anglers using fish for bait are reminded to be careful with how these fish are used and disposed of. Careless use of baitfish is one of the primary means by which non-native species and fish diseases are spread from water to water. Unused baitfish should be discarded in an appropriate location on dry land. A "Green List" of commercially available baitfish species that are approved for use in New York State has now been established in regulation. In most cases, these fish must also be certified as disease free. Personal collection and use of baitfish other than those on the "Green List" is permitted, but only on the water from which they were collected, and they may not be transported overland by motorized vehicle except within one of three defined overland transportation corridors. Please review the baitfish regulations webpage for details.

Preventing Invasive Species and Fish Diseases

Anglers are also reminded to be sure to clean, dry or disinfect their fishing and boating equipment, including waders and boots, before entering a new body of water. Boaters should be particularly conscious of plant materials that can attach to boats and trailers and should be sure to drain all water holding compartments before leaving a water body. This is the only way to prevent the spread of potentially damaging invasive plant and animal species (didymo and zebra mussels) and fish diseases (Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia and whirling disease). Methods to clean and disinfect fishing gear can be found on the DEC website.

License Requirements

Anglers 16 years of age and older must have a New York State fishing license available on line or by calling 1-86-NY-DECALS or by visiting Buy a Sporting License. Fishing licenses can also be purchased from the 1,500 license issuing agents located throughout the state (town and county clerks, some major discount stores and many tackle and sporting goods stores). By law, every dollar spent on a fishing license helps fund programs conducted by the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, including the fish stocking program.